Written Answers Nos. 58-80
58. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised concerns with the British or Northern Ireland authorities in relation to security policing in certain areas (details supplied); the response he received to these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56481/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that we in Government engage regularly with the British Government, the NI Executive and other key stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues relating to Northern Ireland, including security matters. In addition to these engagements, officials on the ground in Northern Ireland and in Dublin work with community leaders on issues such as community confidence in policing.
It is deeply regrettable that, 23 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, dissident republican and loyalist paramilitary groups continue to pose a threat and impact negatively on their own communities.
I am aware that the attitudes and perceptions within the communities can act as a barrier to confidence in policing and that security led operations can have a negative impact in certain locations. These points have been discussed between my officials and the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, including with the PSNI and the Policing Board.
This month marks 20 years of the PSNI and this occasion has provided the opportunity for a range of reflections from communities, academics and justice practitioners. My officials have participated in a number of events and have noted a number of perspectives from loyalist and republican areas, including from those mentioned by the Deputy.
It is intended that the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference will be convened in the coming weeks and this will be a further opportunity for a discussion on security cooperation between the two Governments, as represented by myself and the Minister for Justice on our part and the NI Secretary of State on behalf of the British Government.
59. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions his Department is taking to support the provision of education in developing countries in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56507/21]
View answer63. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions his Department is taking to support the provision of education in developing countries in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56486/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 63 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on education across the globe. For public health reasons, 1.6 billion young people were unable to attend school for long periods, and some are still not back in school. These school closures exacerbated existing inequalities, with those children most marginalised before COVID-19 having highest risk of learning losses and permanently dropping out of education.
Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable. Early in the pandemic Ireland, together with Liberia and Trinidad and Tobago, brought together UN member states and thought leaders to discuss the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent girls’ education. The outcome was a series of recommended actions to support adolescent girls in continuing their education and returning to schools after they reopened.
At a global level and in response to pressing educational needs, I have increased Ireland’s financial contributions this year to the Global Partnership for Education (to €10 million) and Education Cannot Wait (to €4 million).
The Global Partnership for Education is helping governments sustain learning and mitigate the impacts of school closures for up to 355 million children in 66 countries. Priority is given to reaching the most vulnerable children, including girls and children with disabilities.
Education Cannot Wait is supporting continuous access to learning and actions to protect the health and wellbeing of girls and boys living in emergencies and protracted crises. Their work targets 32 million vulnerable children and youth in over 30 countries affected by armed conflict, forced displacement, climate-related disasters and other crises.
At country level, Irish Embassies are supporting education ministries make key adjustments to education programmes, to allow for distance and blended learning as well as the safe reopening of schools. This includes provision of home based learning supports, distance education innovations and improving hand-washing facilities in schools. For example, in Mozambique, the Irish Aid supported EducaTV project provides audio-visual and digital science content, which were transmitted on TV and via an online platform reaching millions of teachers and students. While in Uganda last month, I saw an Irish Aid supported UNICEF home based learning support programme in Karamoja province, helping ensure that vulnerable children maintain access to education notwithstanding the duration of school closures in Uganda.
60. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with his counterparts at European Union level regarding the continuation of the EU-Israel Association Agreement particularly in view of Israel’s ongoing treatment of the Palestinian people and its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56538/21]
View answerThe human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a matter of serious concern.
The protection and promotion of human rights is an integral part of Ireland's foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.
It is also an integral part of the EU’s external actions and is clearly reflected Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which states that respect for human rights and democratic principles are an essential element of the Agreement.
The Association Agreement provides a framework in which the EU can raise concerns on human rights among other issues. I have been clear with my EU Foreign Minister colleagues that we should use all such opportunities to ensure our concerns are registered. The suspension of the Association Agreement would shut down a key avenue for EU influence and engagement and furthermore would not have the support of EU Member States.
We will continue to speak out against actions which are in breach of international law. Ireland conveys our concerns on human rights issues to the Israeli authorities, both directly, which I did during my recent visit to the region, through the EU and at the UN.
Ireland engages in interactive dialogues with the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory at the UN General Assembly. In the most recent debate on 25 October we expressed concern at the lack of accountability for possible violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Ireland also called on Israel to conduct investigations including for incidents of possible excessive use of force by the Israeli Security Forces.
Ireland also provides financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs working on human rights issues.
61. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his attendance in October 2021 at the 2021 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ministerial Council meeting. [56378/21]
View answerMinister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne attended the 2021 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council meeting (MCM) on the 5-6th October.
The Ministerial Council Meeting, which was timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the OECD, saw Ministers agree a New Vision Statement and Global Relations Strategy to guide the work of the organisation over the next decade. Also on the agenda was a focus on addressing the medium and long-term challenges facing the global economy, with an emphasis on the green and digital transitions and gender equality.
Three substantive developments emerged from the Ministerial Council Meeting – consideration of enlargement of the OECD, an Inclusive Framework on Implicit and Explicit Carbon Pricing and agreement of a new tax framework to address the tax challenges of digitalisation.
Minister Byrne attended the Members only session, during which the importance of the shared values’ of the OECD were reaffirmed and a common vision for the future of the OECD were discussed, later being adopted as the New Vision Statement for the OECD.
During these discussions, Minister Byrne hailed the important contribution of the OECD to multilateralism and the rules based system over its six decades. In pledging support for the New Vision Statement, he highlighted the platform the OECD provides Members to build the prosperity needed to tackle inequalities and meet the needs of our citizens. He urged Members to accept the opportunities and challenges posed by climate and digital transitions in building a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.
Minister Byrne also spoke of the importance of cultivating public trust in Government as a source of truth and authority and pointed to the high vaccine uptake in Ireland as a sign of such public trust. He noted the need to mainstream gender equality by removing social and economic barriers limiting women and girls and to accelerate global co-operation, in particular with developing countries who are more severely impacted by climate change.
Minister Byrne also attended a discussion focused on innovation and inclusive pathways to net-zero.
62. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent visit to the port of Dunkirk for the inauguration of the Irish terminal. [56377/21]
View answerThe Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. visited Dunkirk on 10-11 October to participate in the inauguration of the Irish Terminal at the Port of Dunkirk, which is the base for the new DFDS direct maritime link to Rosslare. The main objectives of the visit were to underline the importance of both the direct routes and the landbridge for Ireland’s trade connectivity with the Single Market, to reinforce existing strong bilateral relations with France, Ireland’s closest EU neighbour, building on our ambitious Joint Plan of Action, and to consolidate relationships with the regional authorities in the Hauts-de-France region
The Dunkirk-Rosslare route opened on 2 January 2021 to cater for freight consignments moving directly from Ireland to mainland Europe and runs ten crossings a week. Dunkirk is a highly strategic location for Ireland’s exports to the European continent as it is ideally situated in close proximity to Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Ireland’s freight capacity to continental EU ports has doubled in the past 18 months in response to significant market demand. A number of new or additional direct ferry links with increased capacity have come on stream and are seeing high demand, including to Cherbourg, Dunkirk, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Roscoff and Santander. Figures from the Irish Maritime Development Office show that weekly roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) freight capacity to continental EU ports has doubled in the past 18 months and is at unprecedented levels. Similarly, load-on / load-off (LoLo) volumes in the first half of 2021 increased by 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, and are at their highest level since 2007. This increase in services demonstrates the commitment of the shipping companies to the Irish market
During the visit, the Minister also visited a manufacturing plant owned by Ecocem, an Irish company situated in the port of Dunkirk that produces high performance cements. Ecocem is one of the leading Irish companies in France that has grown its business through investment in the Hauts-de-France region and the Port of Dunkirk.
In parallel to supporting the development of direct maritime routes, the Minister and the Government continue to support the smooth flow of goods across the UK landbridge, including working closely with French counterparts.
64. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the work he and his Department have undertaken to date to evacuate and support Irish citizens and persons with a connection to Ireland from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56289/21]
View answerA total of 107 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted in evacuating Afghanistan since the crisis broke in mid-August. This included the deployment of an Emergency Civil Assistance Team, which previously helped to evacuate 26 citizens and residents.
My Department, including our Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Ankara, has worked with EU Member States and partners in the region to support the ongoing evacuation efforts. We are appreciative of the continuing cooperation with the Government of Qatar in this regard.
Work is ongoing to support the 12 Irish citizens and their dependents who remain in Afghanistan and wish to leave. My Department has also provided support to established residents, a number of whom were assisted in returning to Ireland.
Separately, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth administers the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Over 500 Afghan nationals have been granted refugee status under this Programme, with over 300 having returned safely to Ireland. My Department has provided support, including through our Embassy network, in securing safe passage to Ireland for a number of these.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officials in my Department for the work undertaken to date in providing assistance for those seeking to leave Afghanistan.
66. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the continued success of the Irish Fellows Programme which provides educational opportunities in Ireland for persons from developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56487/21]
View answerThe Ireland Fellows Programme brings promising mid-career professionals from partner countries to study for a master’s-level qualification at a University or Institute of Technology in Ireland.
The programme is run by the Development Cooperation and Africa Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which manages and implements the Irish Aid international development programme. Its day-to-day management is undertaken by the Irish Council for International Students.
The programme has operated since 1974, bringing students from African partner countries and, since 2009, from Vietnam. Following a decision to expand the programme in 2019-20, it was enlarged to include students from the occupied Palestinian Territories, and in 2020-2021, from Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The objective of the Ireland Fellows Programme is to help to build a cohort of people with the potential to become leaders in their home country and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Courses within the programme are aligned with Ireland’s policy for International Development, A Better World. The Fellowship award covers course fees, accommodation, living costs, and flights. The programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunities, and welcomes diversity and alumni are encouraged to stay connected with Ireland, and with each other, after returning home.
There are presently 158 Fellows in Ireland, studying at 18 Higher Education Institutions. The 2021 Fellows are from African partner countries, the occupied Palestinian territory, Vietnam, Laos, and Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa and Asia.
The process of selecting Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year is underway and is expected to conclude in June 2022.
71. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his meeting with the French Secretary of State for European Affairs in October 2021. [56379/21]
View answerAs part of my work on deepening the extensive and important partnership between Ireland and France, I have met my French counterpart, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, on many occasions including at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I also met him during the visit of President Macron to Ireland in August of this year.
I last had a formal meeting with the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, when he accompanied Minister Le Drian on a visit to Ireland last May. I also met him during the visit of President Macron in August. I did not meet Secretary of State Beaune in October. However, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. met with Secretary of State Beaune in Paris on October 5th , ahead of the 2021 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
At the meeting, they discussed major current issues on the EU agenda, including EU-UK relations. The two Ministers also focused on the upcoming French presidency of the Council of the EU and the Conference on the Future of Europe. As European Affairs Minister of the incoming EU presidency, Minister Beaune will play a vital role as Co-Chair of the Executive Board overseeing the Conference on the Future of Europe next spring.
Ireland enjoys very warm relations with France. The visit of President Macron to Ireland, in August, was a strong signal of the ever stronger bilateral relations being forged between our countries. As part of that visit, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and I signed a Joint Plan of Action between our two countries. This is an ambitious plan which will deepen practical cooperation across a number of sectors. It will bring tangible benefits for our businesses, schools, higher education institutions and research institute, cultural institutions, as well as ordinary citizens.
In the period ahead, my Department will be working to deliver on the priorities outlined in this Joint Plan. We also look forward to working with our French counterparts during their Presidency of the Council of the EU.
72. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his attendance at the recent General Affairs Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56298/21]
View answerI attended the most recent meeting of the General Affairs Council which took place on 19 October 2021 in Luxembourg.
The principal item for discussion at the Council was the preparation of the agenda for the European Council meeting, which took place on the 21st and 22nd of October. At that meeting, Leaders discussed energy prices and migration. There were also discussions on the Covid-19 pandemic, digital issues including the 2030 Digital Compass and trade. In addition, the European Council prepared for the ASEM summit on 25/26 November and the Eastern Partnership summit on 15 December, as well as taking stock of preparations for the upcoming meetings of COP26 on climate change and of COP15 on biological diversity.
There was also an exchange of views at the Council on the annual rule of law dialogue. In my remarks on this important agenda item, I reiterated that the rule of law is a fundamental principle for all EU Member States and that it is of vital importance that the rule of law is preserved, protected, and promoted across the Union.
The General Affairs Council also discussed the Conference on the Future of Europe, in advance of the second Conference Plenary session which took place in Strasbourg on 23 October. At the Council, I briefed my Ministerial colleagues on our own national programme of events to date and discussed how we can promote greater public engagement with the Conference in the coming months.
Under Any Other Business, Ministers received an update from the Slovenian Presidency on the outcome of the international conference “Illusive Reconciliation: Transitional Processes in Central and Eastern Europe in a Comparative Perspective”, which was held on 23 August in Ljubljana.
Question Nos. 73 to 79, inclusive, answered orally.
80. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his attendance at the 2021 annual delegate conference of an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56485/21]
View answer86. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details on his recent attendance at the annual delegate conference of an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56577/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 86 together.
I was delighted to have had the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference in early October of this year. I used the occasion to address a number of key issues which are important for PDFORRA members.
I raised the important issue of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. I provided the delegates with an update on the most recent actions that I have undertaken and reiterated the point that inappropriate behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated in the Defence Forces. I briefed the Conference on the roll out of the Confidential Contact Person (CCP) who has been appointed to provide professional, safe and confidential support for any past or present member of the Defence Forces, who may wish to report alleged bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination.
I provided an update on the current status of the work of the Commission on Defence Forces. I advised the delegates to the Conference that I expect the recommendations arising out of the report of the Commission will be far reaching and challenging and their implementation will require positive and constructive engagement from PDFORRA and members.
I informed delegates that I was delighted to note the Association's favourable ballot on the public service agreement 2021-2022 - "Building Momentum". This has provided for further increases in pay and allowances for members of PDFORRA in accordance with the terms of the agreement
I acknowledged the contribution of PDFORRA to the negotiations on the review of Technician Pay Grades 2-6.
I spoke about the review of contracts of service for personnel enlisted to the Permanent Defence Force post 1994, which is a key issue for not only PDFORRA members, but also for me as Minister for Defence. The review has been completed and officials in the Department of Defence are consulting with officials from the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform in respect of cost and pension implications arising from the recommendations in the Review.
Regarding the Working Time Directive, I informed PDFORRA delegates that the Government is committed to bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
I thanked delegates and all Defence Force members, on behalf of Government and the people of Ireland, for the support that they have provided to the Health Service, in particular, in response to the national effort to combat COVID-19.
All of the above issues are being progressed through my Department and where appropriate through the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. I look forward to further continued constructive engagement with the Defence Forces Representative Associations.
